Clip structure and conveying means

ABSTRACT

There is provided a conveying system for restaurants or the like for moving containers, e.g. bottles, from a storage and loading area to a point of use in the restaurant. This system includes spaced-apart first and second stations, conveying means movable between the first and second stations, the conveying means comprising an endless belt, spaced-apart rotatable means on which said endless belt is mounted, and drive means for rotating at least one of the rotatable means, and a plurality of spaced-apart retaining clip means mounted on the endless belt. Each clip means is adapted to releasably retain a container therein, the clip means comprising a pair of spaced-apart U-shaped members mounted in opposed relationship, each of said members comprising opposed tapering arms adapted to retain the body of a container and an intermediate arcuate arm connected to the tapering arms with the intermediate arcuate arm being adapted to retain the neck or top portion of the container.

United States Patent [191 Tomalty CLIP STRUCTURE AND CONVEYING MEANS[76] Inventor: Donald Ernest Tomalty, 209 Acadia Rd., Lachine, Quebec,Canada [22] Filed: Sept. 9, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 179,115

[52] U.S. Cl. 198/179, 198/131 [51] Int. Cl. 365g 15/00 [58] Field ofSearch 198/178, 153, 22 B,

[ Jan. 8, 1974 Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Att0rney-John G.Mills, 111

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT There is provided a conveying system for restaurants orthe like for moving containers, e.g. bottles, from a storage and loadingarea to a point of use in the restaurant. This system includesspaced-apart first and second stations, conveying means movable betweenthe first and second stations, the conveying means comprising an endlessbelt, spaced-apart rotatable means on which said endless belt ismounted, and drive means for rotating at least one of the rotatablemeans, and a plurality of spaced-apart retaining clip means mounted onthe endless belt. Each clip means is adapted to releasably retain acontainer therein, the clip means comprising a pair of spaced-apart U-shaped members mounted in opposed relationship, each of said memberscomprising opposed tapering arms adapted to retain the body of acontainer and an intermediate arcuate arm connected to the tapering armswith the intermediate arcuate arm being adapted to retain the neck ortop portion of the container.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,950,605 8/1960 Hennion 221/77 2,444,925 7/1948 Fischer 198/131 740,99010/1903 Parker et a]. 198/131 2,681,822 6/1954 Daniels 294/20 2,556,7016/1951 Mozena... 294/99 R 654,369 7/1900 Wagner.... 198/131 763,1746/1904 Goebel 198/131 71 20% /0 P t l 9 l7; T

- PATENTEDJAN 8 1914 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR T D- ALTY ATTOR-NEYPATENTE'UJAN 8w SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 1 CLIP STRUCTURE ANDCONVEYING MEANS This invention relates to conveying means.

More particularly, this invention relates to a conveying system havingreleasable retaining means mounted thereon for conveying articles, suchas bottles or the like containers, from a first station at which thecontainers are loaded onto the conveying system to a second stationwhere the containers are removed from the retaining means of theconveying system.

In various types of service industries, as for example the restaurantand beverage service industries, one requirement for fast efficientservice is that a large number of bottled beverages be retained at acentral service point where the service personnel may select a desiredtype of bottled beverage and serve it to the customers. For example inestablishments serving such beverages, conventionally supplied inindividual bottle or container form, large counters are required inorder to accommodate a sufficient supply of or stock of the differenttypes of beverages. This large amount of counter space is undesirableinasmuch as space is generally limited and represents an undesirableeconomic factor for service industries. A still further problem in thestorage of beverages, etc, is that it is frequently necessary tomaintain the beverages under controlled temperature conditions. Thus,for example, cooling of beverages is required in most restaurantservices industries which means that the bottles or containers must beretained in cooling units at the counter. This in turn increases therequired amount of space; provides a slower turnover in time inasmuch asthe beverages have to be retained in the coolers for a sufficient timebefore being served, etc. still a further disadvantage with the presentconventional arrangements as it is necessary to to retain storage of asupply of the containers or bottles in relatively close proximity to thecooling means, which is indicated above are generally at the counter orpoint of use of the containers. This is particularly so in large volumeservice industries where the storage units at the counter must bereplenished several times a day, and necessitates personnel time intransferring the bottles or containers from the site of storage to thepoint at which they are used.

Applicant has now developed a novel conveying system which overcomes thedisadvantages of the present conventional systems, and which provides avery simple and expedient manner of providing a supply of suchcontainers at a desired point of use while involving a minimum ofcounter space or storage space at the point of use.

More particularly, in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a conveying system adapted for conveyingcontainers or the like through a first station wherein the containersmay be loaded onto the conveying system and which is at a point removedfrom a point of removal of the containers at a second station at whichthe containers may be removed from the conveying system for use, saidsystem comprising first and second stations, said stations beingspaced-apart from each other with one of said stations being adapted topermit loading of a supply of containers or the like onto said conveyingsystem and the other of said stations being adapted to permit dischargeof said containers from said system for use, conveying means movablebetween said first and second stations, said conveying means comprisingan endless belt, spaced-apart rotatable means on which said endless beltis mounted, and drive means for rotating at least one of said rotatablemeans, and a plurality of spaced-apart retaining clip means mounted onsaid endless belt, each clip means being adapted to releasably retain acontainer therein, said clip means comprising a pair of spacedapartU-shaped members mounted in opposed relationship, each of said memberscomprising opposed tapering arms adapted to retain the body ofacontainer and an intermediate arcuate arm connected to said taperingarms with the intermediate arcuate arm being adapted to retain the neckor top portion of the container.

In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, there is alsoprovided a method of loading, supplying and dispensing containers or thelike from a first station wherein the containers may be loaded onto aconveying system, and which is at a point remote from the point at whichthe containers are used, and a second station wherein the containers areremoved from the conveying system for use, which method includes thesteps of providing a supply of such containers at a first station whichis spaced at a point removed from the point of use of the containers ata second station, providing a conveying means which includes an endlessbelt, spaced-apart rotatable means on which the endless belt is mountedand a drive means for rotating the rotatable means, with a plurality ofspaced-apart retaining clip means mounted on the endless belt andadapted to releasably retain a container therein, providing a secondstation at which the containers are adapted to be used and removed fromthe conveying system, loading the containers into engagement with theclip means at the first station, effecting movement of the belt betweenthe first and second stations and removing from the releasable clipmeans the containers at the second station as desired.

In greater detail, with the conveying system and method of the presentinvention, for service industries dispensing containers or the like, andparticularly restaurants or the like dispensing beverages fromindividual bottles or containers, a supply of the container may bemaintained at a point remote from the point at which the servicepersonnel remove the containers for use at the counter in the actualrestaurant or like establishment, while such containers may be readilyand safely transported to the counter, which will take up a minimum ofspace.

In the system and method of the present invention, typically the firstand second stations will be within an enclosure defining a passagewaybetween the first and second stations with the first and second stationsbeing located at spaced-apart locations in the enclosure. Generally, theenclosure may be a continuous wall or like system bounded byspaced-apart pairs of side members, starting and terminating at thespaced-apart stations. Depending on the type of arrangement desired, theenclosure with the spaced-apart stations may extend between differentlevels of a building, or at spaced-apart points on the same floor levelof a building. The initial and terminal stations will generally bedefined by the point of use of the containers or bottles, and the pointat which there is a storage facility.

For many applications, the system of the present invention will includecooling means in conjunction therewith the cooling means may be locatedat any desired point in operative relationship to the system. A

particularly preferred form relates to the cooling means providing acooling atmosphere in the total enclosure, whereby all of the containersof the enclosure are subjected to a cooling atmosphere In thisembodiment, the cooling means will introduce a cooled atmosphere intothe enclosure; and any conventional means may be used for the purpose ofproviding a cooling atmosphere. In the alternative, only that part ofthe enclosure at the point of removal of the containers from the systemmay be cooled.

Again, for most applications, the terminal station of the system,defining the point at which the bottles or containers are removed fromthe system, may be a suitable facility at a counter or like structure,in which there are provided openable doors or the like to permit accessto the conveying system, to select and remove the desired containersfrom the system. Conversely, at the first station, expediently thestation may be located at a storage facility, whichfirst station permitsaccess to the conveying system to load the containers into the retainingclip structures of the present invention on the conveying system. in oneembodiment, the storage facility may also be a part of the enclosure, sothat a greater supply of the containers or bottles may be cooled ifdesired before being placed onto the conveying system. This isparticularly advantageous in high volume (large turnover) serviceindustries.

In the conveying system of the present invention, there may be employedat least two spaced-apart rotatable means, such as rotatable drums orrollers, at the first and second stations about which the endless belttravels In some cases, additional rollers or drums may be required,where it is necessary for the conveying system to take an out of linedirection of travel between the first and second stations. At least oneof the rotatable means is driven by suitable drive means, which isexplained hereinafter, is preferably a discontinuous drive meansrotating the roller or drum as desired in an intermittent fashion.

The endless belt means is mounted for rotation about the rotatablemeans, and the endless belt may be any suitable flexible conveying belt.

The retaining clip means mounted on the endless belt, as describedhereinafter, has been found to provide the desired characteristics for asuccessful conveying system. More particularly, this retaining clipstructure comprises a pair of spaced-apart U-shaped members mounted inopposed relationship, each of said members comprising a pair of opposedtapering arms adapted to retain the body of an article, and anintermediate arcuate arm connected to-said tapering arms, whereby theopposed arcuate arms of each U-shaped member are adapted to releasablyretain the neck or top portion of the container. Preferably, the opposedarms of each U-shaped member are mounted on a supporting base in aspaced-apart tapering relationship. Preferably, each U-shaped member issubstantially identical to the other, whereby the clip structure issubstantially symmetrical about a vertical axis between the opposedU-shaped members.

The retaining clip structures are preferably mounted in spaced-apartrows of the same on the endless belt, preferably through a plurality ofsuch clips being connected to a common base, forming a supporting basefor the clip structure. The supporting base may be of any suitablematerial adapted to retain the spacedapart U-shaped members of each clipin a spaced-apart relationship. To this end, the base is preferably of arigid, self-supporting sheet or block of material having the opposedtapering arms of the U-shaped member mounted therein. The supportingbase may then be connected to the endless belt by suitable means, as forexample, with suitable bolts, adhesive, etc.

If desired, in place of utilizing asupporting base, the arms of the clipstructures may include an extension, preferably angularly disposed inrelation to the arms, to anchor the same to the endless belt by theextensions being affixed to the belt with clips,.or the like.

In the clip structures of the present invention, the size of the opposedtapering arms will vary depending on the type of container or bottle itis adapted to releasably retain. Likewise, the intermediate connectingarcuate arm will vary depending on the size and shape of the neck of thecontainer. Still further, the distance to which the opposed arms of eachU-shaped member is spaced-apart will depend on the size of the containeror bottle to be retained, and will hence vary accordingly. Preferably,however, the arms are of a tapering relationship to each other wherebythe arms, or at least a portion thereof, function to engage a portion ofthe side surface of the container to be retained; further, preferablyeach opposed pair of arms between each of the U- shaped members isspaced-apart a distance less than the width of the container whereby thecontainer is prevented from being laterally displaced i.e. this may beaccomplished by having such opposed arms taper; or alternately, byspacing the arms apart a distance less than the width of the container.

The arcuate intermediate connecting arm of each U- shaped member will bemounted normally in an outwardly extending plane in relation to theother arms of the U-shaped member; however, this may vary depending onthe shape and nature of the top or neck portion of a container to beretained in the clip structure of the present invention. Moreparticularly, the arcuate connecting arm is adapted to releasably retainthe top or neck portion of an article and depending on the shape andcontour of the container, the degree to which the arcuate neck inwardlyor outwardly extends from between the other arms of the Ushaped memberwill vary accordingly. In this respect, the arcuate shape of theconnecting arm may likewise vary; an arcuate shape is preferred for mosttypes of contour; however, the shape may assume other than an arcuatecontour depending on the container.

The clip structure is preferably made of rigid selfsupporting materialwith each U-shaped member possessing a spring-action. To this end, theU-shaped members of the clip structure may be made of any suitablematerial, such as spring wire, or other substances such as plastics,which possess this property. When making the clip structure of wire, thegauge of the metal or plastic wire may vary, again depending on thestrength requirements compatible with retaining any given container.

By using the above retaining clip structures, the containers or bottlesmay be safely transported from the first to second stations withoutdamage, and without the risk of falling from the conveying system.

The conveying system of the present invention will include control meanssuitably to permit discontinuous operation of the conveying system. Tothis end, the control means will operate in conjunction with the drivemeans for rotating the endless belt; typically, the

control means may include suitable switches at the point of use wherethe containers are to be removed from the conveying system, to permitservice personnel to rotate the conveying system and remove the desirednumber and type of containers therefrom. The control system will includeconventional circuitry for operating the drive means in conjunction withthe switches. In a preferred embodiment, preferably control means arelikewise included at the point where the containers are loaded onto theconveying system, again to permit service personnel to rotate theendless belt and refill it when desired. A side advantage of theconveying system of the present invention is that service personnel mayalso reload used containers onto the conveying system at the point wherethey remove full containers therefrom, whereby the used containers maybe removed at a subsequent point e.g. the storage point.

From the above and subsequent description, it will be seen that there isprovided a very efficient, simple and expedient conveying systemsuitable for service industries such as restaurants, etc. to permitbeverages or the like dispensed in individual containers or bottles froma single source of the latter, at a desired point of view. The system ofthe present invention takes up very little space, and can reduce theotherwise large volume of space required in restaurants, etc. now usedaccording to conventional practice. Moreover, the containers or bottlesare retainedin a positive manner and used bottles or the like may bere-loaded onto the conveying system for discharge at a desired point.

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now bemade to the accompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodimentsand in which;

FIG. I is a partial front elevational section of a system according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational section of the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the retaining clip means used inconjunction with the system of the pres ent invention.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a typical systemaccording to the present invention suitable for use in a restaurant orlike service industry. Thus, in the specific embodiment illustrated, andwith reference to FIG. 2, the system is installed with first and secondstations located at different floor levels of a building, the upperfloor It) being vertically spaced from a lower floor 12. The system ofthe present invention in the embodiment illustrated is within anenclosure defined, in this embodiment, by the lower floor 12, a pair ofspaced-apart opposed lower wall sections 14 (only one of which isillustrated), a further pair of lower wall sections I6 (again only oneof which is illustrated), which wall sections 14 and 16, and the lowerfloor section I2 define a lower enclosed area of the system (withsuitable access being had to the lower enclosure by means of a door orthe like). The lower enclosure thus defined communicates with an upperenclosure which in the embodiment illustrated, includes a counterindicated generally by reference numeral C having a top portion IS, apair of opposed side walls (which are continuous with lower wallsections 14 through intermediate connecting portions 22) and as well afurther pair of upper wall sections 24 (only one of which is shown) andwhich are continuous with and connected to lower wall sections 16. Eachof the wall sections I4, 16, 20 and 24, as well as the top wall I8forming a counter surface, are insulated as will be seen from thedrawings, for the purpose as described hereinafter. The upper portion ofthe enclosure, when viewed in FIG. I, will be seen to include a slightenlargement to accommodate various components of the system of thepresent invention, at the upper level. In practice, however, this may belocated at any desired point as described hereinafter.

In a typical installation, the above described upper portion of theenclosure will generally form a counter surface or the like with thewall 18 forming the counter surface. As viewed in FIG. 2, servicepersonnel will generally have access to the system of the presentinvention from behind the counter (as to the left of the enclosure), bymeans of a door or the like, indicated by reference numeral 26, hingedlyconnected to a wall of the enclosure. In a like manner, the servicepersonnel will also have access to the lower portion of the systemthrough a door or like as described above.

The system of the present invention includes a conveying component,which in this case, is illustrated as a vertically mounted conveyorarrangement. The conveying component includes a pair of spaced-apartrotatable drums 30, each journalled on a shaft 32. The shafts 32 aremounted in supporting brackets 34 by bushings 36; which supportingbrackets 34 are connected to frame members designated throughout thedrawings by reference letter F. The uppermost shaft 32 in thisembodiment is driven by an electric motor 40 through a gear box 42, themotor being connected to a source of electrical power (not shown). Tocomplete the control system of the present invention, switch means 46(as shown in FIG. 2) are provided behind the counter to permit theservice personnel to operate the system of the present invention in adiscontinuous manner. In a like manner, there is provided further switchmeans within the lower portion of the enclosure (not shown) to likewisepermit discontinuous and intermittent operation of the system forloading purposes, as hereinafter described, Both switches 46 areconnected to the motor and source of electrical power by conventionalmeans.

Rotating about the spaced-apart drums 30 is an endless belt 48 ofsuitable flexible material. There is thus provided first and secondspaced-apart stations indicated generally by reference letters A and Bwithin the enclosure, located at the lower level and upper service levelrespectively of the system.

At the lower station A, in the embodiment illustrated, there may bestored cases or cartons of individual containers for loading into thesystem of the present invention. To this end, there may also be provideda shelf or the like indicated by reference numeral 50 to permit easierloading of the containers into the system.

For most types of usage, it may be desirable to include a drainagesystem beneath the conveying component, which includes a trough 52having a drain 54 at the bottom thereof, connected to a suitable sewersystem. The purpose of the trough and drain is to catch any liquidresidue in the containers, as explained here inafter in greater detail.

The conveying system of the present invention as illustrated, isparticularly suitable for use where it is desired to retain a commodity,such as liquid refreshments in bottles or containers, under controlledatmospheric conditions e.g. under cooling conditions. To this end, asdescribed above, the enclosure is insulated and in this particularembodiment, the complete system is maintained under refrigeration.Suitable means for introducing air into the entire enclosure (such as aconventional refrigeration system) are employed for this purpose (notshown). Along with the refrigeration system, there may be includedsuitable temperature control means, such as a thermostat.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the retaining means of the present invention isillustrated as retaining a bottle D (shown in dotted lines). Theretaining clip comprises essentially a pair of opposed similar sections,each section including a pair of opposed arms 60 adapted to encompass acontainer or bottle D. Connecting each pair of arms 60 is an arcuateupper intermediate arm 62 which, as will be seen from FIG. 3, is adaptedto encompass the upper neck portion of a bottle, whereby the bottle dueto the arrangement of arms 60 and 62, may be retained under positivecontrol at all times. In a preferred construction, each of the arms 60includes at its lower end, an inwardly extending flange or arm 64 whichin the form illustrated, are arranged so that each arm 64 of one sectionfaces an arm 64 of another section. If desired, a plate 68 with U-shapedchannels 70 on its lateral side may be used for retaining the arms 64 inalignment, and as well, for mounting purposes as described hereinafter.

For most purposes, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of theretaining clip structures will be employed in spaced-apartlongitudinally and transversely extending rows of the same. The numberof rows in the longitudinal and transverse directions will depend on thetype of service industry in which the present invention is employed forlarge volume industries, obviously the number of retaining clips may beincreased in the transverse direction.

The transversely extending rows of the retaining clips are preferablyformed by employing a non-flexible base or substrate surface indicatedgenerally by reference numeral 72, and which comprises a length of sucha substrate extending transversely of the endless belt 48. The base orsubstrate 72 will be of wood, metal, plastic or the like, and will havea width normally equal to or slightly greater than the width of themember 68. Each of the clip members is connected to the substrate 72 viamember 68, using an adhesive or other like means in the embodimentillustrated, screw 74 anchors members 68 to substrate 72. In turn, thesubstrate or base 72 is fixedly secured to the conveyor belt 68 bysuitable means for example, it may be bolted on or clipped on or in theembodiment illustrated, the screw 74 may have complimentary lockingmeans on the interior of the belt 48 to permit the retaining clip, andthe substrate or base 72, to be both fixedly secured to the endless belt48. Use of the supporting base or substrate 72 has the added advantagethat transverse rows of the bottles D are securely retained in place asthe endless belt moves between the first and second stations A and B.Moreover, due to the structure of the retaining clip means and the factthat the arms 60 and 62 are preferably made from spring-type wire,removal and insertion of bottles or containers B into the retainingclips assembly is easily accomplished but while retaining positivecontrol of the container of bottle D.

In operation, at the station A, the containers or bottles may beindividually placed into each retaining clip structure, from boxes orcartons of the bottles retained at the lower station A. in a likemanner, used or empty bottles or containers may be removed from thesystem at the lower station A, and placed back into the boxes or cartonsat the lower station. For this reason, service personnel at the lowerstation may control the conveying system independently to permitindividual rows to be completely filled.

In a like manner, service personnel at the upper level as, for example,in a restaurant at a counter, may rotate the system using switch 46 toselect desired containers or bottles from the system, and to remove themfrom the system through door 26 as desired.

As will be seen from the above-described preferred embodiments, there isprovided a very simple and economical system for dispensing individualcontainers which may be retained under controlled atmosphericconditions, and for replacing the containers at the service area backinto the system for removal at the first station. The system takes upvery little counter space compared to conventional system and further,has the advantage that since the containers or bottles are under acontrolled atmospheric system, reduced time and effort is required bythe service personnel; with the further advantage that since thecontainers are under controlled atmospheric conditions, spoilage or thelike does not become a problem.

It will be understood that various modifications can be made to theabove-described preferred embodiments without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A conveying system adapted for conveying containers or the likethrough a first station wherein the containers may be loaded onto theconveying system and which is at a point removed from a point of removalof the containers at a second station at which the containers may beremoved from theconveying system for use, said system comprising: firstand second stations, said stations being spaced-apart from each otherwith one of said stations being adapted to permit loading ofa supply ofcontainers or the like onto said conveying system and the other of saidstations being adapted to permit discharge of said containers from saidsystem for use, conveyingmeans movable between said first and secondstations, said conveying means comprising an endless belt, spaced-apartrotatable means on which said endless belt is mounted, and drive meansfor rotating at least one of said rotatable means, and a plurality ofspaced-apart retaining clip means mounted on the outer side of saidendless belt and carried thereby, each clip means being adapted toreleasably retain a container therein, said clip means comprising a pairof separate spaced-apart U-shaped mem bers mounted in opposedrelationship, each of said members comprising opposed inwardly taperingarms adapted to engage and retain the body of a container and anintermediate arcuate arm connected between upper portions of saidtapering arms and adapted to retain the neck or top portion of thecontainer.

2. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, including an enclosurehaving therein said first and second stations at spacedapart areas ofsaid enclosure, said conveying means extending between said first andsecond stations in said enclosure.

3. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said enclosureincludes cooling means adapted to cool the containers.

4. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip means aremounted in spaced-apart transversely extending rows on said endlessbelt.

5. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip means aremounted on a supporting base, each supporting base including a pluralityof clip means aligned in a row thereon, a plurality of said supportingbases being mounted in a spaced-apart transverse direction on saidendless belt means 6. A conveying system as defined in claim 1,including a control system for intermittently operating said drivemeans.

7. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip meansfurther comprises: a plurality of spacedapart transversely alignedsupporting bases fixed to the other side of said endless belt; amounting plate secured to the outer surface of each supporting base andincluding a pair of U-shaped channels formed on each side thereof, andwherein each of said inwardly tapering arms which retain the body of acontainer includes an inwardly directed flange, each flange beinggenerally one-half the length of a respective U-shaped channel formed insaid mounting plate and adapted to be inserted in one end thereof,whereby the U-shaped channels formed in the mounting plates serve tosupport the opposed U-shaped members of each clip means in spaced-apartrelationship.

1. A conveying system adapted for conveying containers or the likethrough a first station wherein the containers may be loaded onto theconveying system and which is at a point removed from a point of removalof the containers at a second station at which the containers may beremoved from the conveying system for use, said system coMprising: firstand second stations, said stations being spaced-apart from each otherwith one of said stations being adapted to permit loading of a supply ofcontainers or the like onto said conveying system and the other of saidstations being adapted to permit discharge of said containers from saidsystem for use, conveying means movable between said first and secondstations, said conveying means comprising an endless belt, spaced-apartrotatable means on which said endless belt is mounted, and drive meansfor rotating at least one of said rotatable means, and a plurality ofspaced-apart retaining clip means mounted on the outer side of saidendless belt and carried thereby, each clip means being adapted toreleasably retain a container therein, said clip means comprising a pairof separate spaced-apart U-shaped members mounted in opposedrelationship, each of said members comprising opposed inwardly taperingarms adapted to engage and retain the body of a container and anintermediate arcuate arm connected between upper portions of saidtapering arms and adapted to retain the neck or top portion of thecontainer.
 2. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, including anenclosure having therein said first and second stations at spacedapartareas of said enclosure, said conveying means extending between saidfirst and second stations in said enclosure.
 3. A conveying system asdefined in claim 1, wherein said enclosure includes cooling meansadapted to cool the containers.
 4. A conveying system as defined inclaim 1, wherein said clip means are mounted in spaced-aparttransversely extending rows on said endless belt.
 5. A conveying systemas defined in claim 1, wherein said clip means are mounted on asupporting base, each supporting base including a plurality of clipmeans aligned in a row thereon, a plurality of said supporting basesbeing mounted in a spaced-apart transverse direction on said endlessbelt means.
 6. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, including acontrol system for intermittently operating said drive means.
 7. Aconveying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip means furthercomprises: a plurality of spaced-apart transversely aligned supportingbases fixed to the other side of said endless belt; a mounting platesecured to the outer surface of each supporting base and including apair of U-shaped channels formed on each side thereof, and wherein eachof said inwardly tapering arms which retain the body of a containerincludes an inwardly directed flange, each flange being generallyone-half the length of a respective U-shaped channel formed in saidmounting plate and adapted to be inserted in one end thereof, wherebythe U-shaped channels formed in the mounting plates serve to support theopposed U-shaped members of each clip means in spaced-apartrelationship.